ESPN Enlists Marvel, Spike Lee, Eva Longoria for 3 New Film Series

ESPN has revealed three new film series collaborations on which they will combine forces with a comic book giant, a New York filmmaker and a Hollywood actress.

In conjunction with Wednesday’s Winter Television Critics Association panel, the sports network announced a partnership between ESPN Films and Marvel Entertainment to air two all-new projects, the feature-length documentary “1 of 1 – Genesis” and short film series “1 of 1 – Origins.”

“Both the documentary and the short film series will provide viewers a unique look at some of the world’s most successful athletes by mixing the award-winning non-fiction style of ESPN Films with classic Marvel comic book art, design and creative animation to truly bring a unique perspective to the journeys of these key figures,” said an ESPN statement sent to TheWrap.

“In many ways, athletes are blessed in their chosen fields with super-human ‘powers’ much like those of some of the great Marvel Super Heroes,” said Connor Schell, VP and Executive Producer, ESPN Films and Original Content, ESPN. “Like those characters, every great athlete has the moment where they learn to harness, develop and use their unique abilities to achieve. Eric Drath and his team have done a fantastic job at capturing and bringing to life those origin stories.”

John Cerilli, Vice President, Content & Programming, Marvel Digital Media Group, continued: “Combining ESPN Films’ unparalleled approach to sports filmmaking with the resonant themes and aesthetics of Marvel has allowed us to assemble a film that will astonish and amaze fans of both worlds.”

Both of the series are directed by Emmy-winning director/producer Eric Drath (30 for 30’s “No Mas,” “Cornered: A Life Caught in the Ring”), produced by Emmy-winner Dan Silver, and executive produced by Tracy McAndrew and John Cerilli.

ESPN also announced a collaboration with filmmaker and New York Knicks fanatic, Spike Lee, stating that “SportsCenter” will debut a new weekly segment titled “Friday Night Movie Night.” Debuting on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. ET, a short film from one of ESPN Films’ popular documentary series will air each week, and most will be making their TV or world premiere.

Kicking off “Friday Night Movie Night” will be “Ray Allen/AKA-Jesus Shuttlesworth,” the first short from a new collection of films executive produced by Spike Lee. The series, “Spike Lee’s Lil’ Joints,” will showcase narratives that are personally curated by Lee, with the majority revolving around African-American stories that are not widely known and each short preceded by an introduction from Lee.

“People today have a thirst for new voices, for new visions, new filmmakers and ‘Spike Lee’s Lil’ Joints’ is that platform,” said the “Do the Right Thing” director. “There are great stories out there that might not warrant a full-length documentary, but they are great stories nonetheless. This endeavor will let those stores be told.”

The eight-episode series with air once a month from February through September 2015 with a second season in 2016.

Last but not least, new documentary short series “Versus” will “explore moments of inspiration, when the world of sports transcended the action on the field,” according to a statement from ESPN.

It is executive produced by Eva Longoria, who is also the director of the first short, “Go, Sebastian, Go!” that will kick off the series in May. Other directors will include: Retta (“Parks and Recreation”), Ricardo Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”) and Melissa Johnson (director, “Nine for IX Shorts”‘ “Brittney Griner: Lifesize”).

“There are so many moments from the world of sports that represent a broad cultural theme while at the same time, focus on a uniquely human story,” said Longoria. “I’m excited to be working with ESPN Films, along with a variety of talented filmmakers, to tell these stories of courage and perseverance.”

“Versus” will consist offive films that will premiere monthly from May through September 2015, with a second season in 2016. Each film will premiere on a Friday episode of “SportsCenter” followed by a tiered rollout to the “SportsCenter” app and additional digital platforms, including ESPN.com, Twitter, Facebook and others.

ESPN opened Wednesday’s TCA panel with a moving “This is ‘SportsCenter'” tribute to Stuart Scott, who died on Sunday, and a number of scheduled speakers were absent because of the recent unfortunate development at the network.

In the ultimate underdog story, newcomer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) gets a shot at the world heavyweight title against champ Apollo Creed. Rocky proves he has the goods, going the entire 15 rounds against Creed, but loses in a split decision. Rocky would get a rematch though and win the title in “Rocky II”.

"Breaking Away" (1979)

One of the most inspiring underdog stories ever made, the Little 500 bicycle race in Bloomington, Indiana, is a local classic as made famous by this film. In the film's closing race scene, the locals -- dressed in plain white T-shirts with their nickname the "Cutters" -- upset the richer college students with more expensive bikes and uniforms, riding across the finish line in pure glory.

“Chariots of Fire” (1981)

Two Englishmen push each other to be the best sprinter at the 1924 Olympics. While they won gold on the big screen’s racetrack, “Chariots of Fire” would go on to win Oscar gold for best picture.

“The Natural” (1984)

Robert Redford plays middle-age rookie Roy Hobbs in “The Natural.” Hobbs leads his team to a championship on his final at-bat when he launches the most famous home run in movie history. Thus proving the unspoken rule in baseball: If you break the lights you win the game.

“Hoosiers” (1986)

Another Indiana classic in what is widely considered one of the greatest sports movies of all time, “Hoosiers” follows a small town high school basketball team as they make it all the way to the state finals. They play a bigger and more athletic team in the finals, but with a last second shot pull off the surprise victory.

“Major League” (1989)

Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger lead an outfit of misfit Cleveland Indians from last place to a shot at the league pennant against the powerhouse Yankees. Even though the film is a comedy, the final game plays out in dramatic fashion.

“A League of Their Own” (1992)

“A League of Their Own” proved that girls can play baseball, and ends in a play at the plate that determines the championship. Geena Davis’ Rockford Peaches may lose that final game, but as Tom Hanks taught us, “there is no crying in baseball!”

Steve James’ revolutionary documentary follows inner-city Chicago kids William Gates and Arthur Agee throughout their high-school basketball careers. The film culminates in both striving to reach the finals of their city wide championship tournament.

“Remember the Titans” (2001)

Based on the true story of Virginia’s first integrated high school football team (led by coach Denzel Washington), the Titans not only change the views of an entire town, but they go undefeated on their way to a thrilling state championship against an all-white team.

“Friday Night Lights” (2004)

The film that spawned the critically acclaimed TV series (which in turn may spawn a film of its own) is memorable in that its featured team doesn’t win the championship. The Permian Panthers mount a great comeback, but come up one yard short of the state title.

“Miracle” (2004)

In perhaps one of the greatest upsets in sports history, a team of U.S. college hockey players defeated the Soviet Union, the three-time defending gold medal winner and best team in the world, during the Cold War.

"DodgeBall" (2004)

Okay, okay. This is really a parody of sports movies. But for all its send-ups of underdog sports movie formulas, it also embraces them full-heartedly during the gripping championship showdown between the Average Joes and Globo Gym.

“The Fighter” (2010)David O. Russell‘s Oscar-winning picture depicted boxer Mickey Ward’s (Mark Wahlberg) climb up the ranks from middling contender to a shot at the title. The final fight shows the grit and heart that it took for Ward to win the belt.

"Senna" (2010)

The best sports documentaries are as riveting as their scripted counterparts, putting viewers right in the action as if they are watching it unfold live. "Senna" is one of the finest examples, using primarily archival footage with no narration and few interviews to show the bitter Formula 1 rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost that led to the 1989 and 1990 championships being decided in controversial fashion at Japan's famed Suzuka Circuit.

"Survive and Advance" (2013)

ESPN's "30 for 30" series included a look at arguably the most famous championship run in college basketball history. In 1983, Jimmy Valvano led the North Carolina State Wolfpack on a streak of nine consecutive overtime or one-point wins, culminating in a last-second basket to win the championship over top-ranked Houston. In this documentary, even though the outcome is known, every game's heart-stopping drama is recreated perfectly.

"Creed" (2015)

The power and hypnotic beauty of this famous running scene from "Creed" as directed by Ryan Coogler is immense. Michael B. Jordan captures the inspiring training run from the original "Rocky" with a modern spirit. You can feel the emotion of the moment so strongly and can't help but root for him.

"Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies" (2017)

Another ESPN documentary that puts you right in the moment. Narrated by Lakers fan Ice Cube and Celtics fan Donnie Wahlberg, this five-hour doc covers the most famous championship rivalry in sports, which peaked with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 80s. The tension hits its peak with Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, in which Bird infamously missed a game-tying three-point shot.

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Whether it’s the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, TheWrap recaps the biggest moments in these sports classics